The Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia has blocked 15 new internet sites, most of them originating from Vietnam, including the popular Vietnamese lottery website Vina24h, the Khmer Times reported on February 16, 20221.
The regulator said the blockings rest on the Royal Government's guideline No. 07, dated 18 August 2019, on strengthening the management of the electronic gambling business through the Internet, online, domestic and foreign1. It said it would keep working with the National Police, other relevant authorities and all telecom operators to remove domain names that operate and provide illegal online gambling and lottery services, along with any other domain name operating illegally in Cambodia1. The stated goal is to help maintain security, public order and social order1.
"it will continue to cooperate with the National Police, relevant authorities and all telecom operators to eliminate all domain names that operate and provide illegal online gambling and lottery services"
The regulator also asked the public to report online gambling services, illegal lotteries and the posting of child pornographic images and videos in Cambodia, by calling 6789 during business hours or through its Facebook page, "Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia"1. The report did not name the other 14 sites, did not say when the blocks took effect, and did not describe how the blocks are enforced. It also did not say whether any operator or individual faces penalties. None of that has been reported1.
The 15 sites follow earlier rounds of blocking reported by the same outlet: a crackdown on 79 illegal gambling websites in November 2021 and blocks on websites posting pornography in December 20211.
What it means for players
For anyone in Cambodia using online lottery agents or foreign lottery sites, the practical effect of a block is usually that a domain stops resolving on local connections. The explainer on why betting sites get blocked in Asia sets out how DNS blocks, mirror sites and app removals work in practice. Vina24h is a Vietnamese lottery results and sales site, so players in Vietnam are affected too; the Vietnam lottery guide and the page on computerized lottery games cover what is legal there. The wider legal position for players in the region is set out in Online Gambling in Asia: The Law for Players in 12 Jurisdictions. For Cambodia specifically, see Can I Gamble in Cambodia? and The Lottery in Cambodia: Who Can Play and How. Blocking a domain does not by itself change what is legal to play, and it does not stop a site from operating elsewhere.
What happens next
The regulator said it will continue cooperating with the National Police, relevant authorities and telecom operators to eliminate domain names providing illegal online gambling and lottery services1. No further dates, targets or named sites have been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Cambodia blocks 15 illegal lottery websites - Khmer Times, khmertimeskh.com
